Cash and Carry retailer Metro has revealed a raft of changes to its Chinese model in a new store in Shanghai’s Pudong.
Based on the response to customer feedback, Metro Group says the new concept store format will upgrade customer service execution. Highlights include:
‘Metro Cafe’ – a new area for customer interaction – provides a comfortable environment, free self-serve coffee and computers/printers, which enable customers to check e-mails and product information as well as to print orders.
The ‘Metro Welfare & Gifting Showroom’ displaying various welfare/gift lines with professional sales personnel to recommend tailored welfare/gift solutions for the customers through one-to-one service.
An ‘Inspiration Corner’ mainly serving as a communication platform where cooking demonstrations and workshops will be held for professional customers and culinary experts in HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Catering) industry to exchange experiences and knowledges.
‘Express Delivery’, a “fast and convenient delivery service”, providing same-day delivery for the customers who have purchased at the store.
To help customers locate products more easily, Metro has optimised its product assortment in the sales areas, particularly in the non-food and import food sections. Metro also offers complimentary, store-wide WiFi coverage for all customers.
“This October marks the 50th anniversary of Metro Group. The Cash & Carry model enjoys a track record of success and is one of Metro China’s five focus channels to sustain or even accelerate growth. With the launch of the new Cash & Carry store concept, we aim to further tap into the potential of the strategic channel by providing upgraded services and a welcoming environment for our target customer groups,” said Jeroen de Groot, President of Metro China.
Metro recently held the 2014 Metro Canteen Chef Competition (pictured above) – the first of its kind in China – in which canteen chefs nationwide took part in culinary experiences, encouraging them to create a wider variety of more flavorful, safe, and fresh dishes.
